We're not heroes, say lake rescuers (From Bury Times)

We're not heroes, say lake rescuers

12:49pm Thursday 14th February 2008

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TWO animal lovers who waded into a Bury lake to rescue an abused goose said: "We did what anyone else would have done".

Lyn White and Ron Ainsworth were at Clarence Park, in Walmersley Road, on the morning of Sunday February 3 when they found the stricken animal.

It had rope tied around its wing and leg, with two house bricks attached.

Mrs White, of Linton Avenue, was walking her two dogs when she noticed the Canada goose in the lido.

She went home to phone the RSPCA and then returned to the park with a pair of scissors.

On her way back to the lido, Mrs White (51) saw a friend, Ron Ainsworth, who was also walking his dog.

The pair went into the cold water to rescue the goose, cutting the rope from around its body.

Mrs White, a committee member of the Bury and Oldham branch of the RSPCA, said: "I phoned the RSPCA and they said they would come out, but I had no idea when it would be.

"I went back out there to see whether I could do it myself. I couldn't leave the goose like that. It was getting more and more distressed and couldn't fly away."

Mr Ainsworth (62), of Hillside Crescent, said: "The goose was on its side because the bricks were dragging it down. There was a double-knot tied round its wing and it was really tight. It was not just an accident.

"I managed to get hold of the goose and stroked it to calm it down. The water was up to my chest. Lyn cut the rope off and we let the goose go."

Because the goose did not appear to be injured, they let the goose swim away.

Mrs White, a bank clerk, and Mr Ainsworth, a sheet metal worker, both returned to the lake in the following days, but could not find the goose. It is thought that it had flown away.

And despite braving freezing temperatures to rescue the goose, the pair say that they are not heroes.

Mrs White said: "It wasn't a brave thing to do. I only did what any animal lover would do. I am sickened that anybody could do something like that to a goose. It's absolutely horrible."

Grandfather Mr Ainsworth said: "I think most people would do the same thing. I am glad that I did go in. It really upset me to see what had happened.

"I think it is really terrible that things like this happen on a water where people take their children to feed the ducks and geese. People need to keep their eyes open for things like this happening."

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